Mike Smith Bag with Scott and Cathy Sibley Horn

Mike Smith Accoutrement

Horn Strap by Jeff Bibb.

Photos by Jan Riser.

Tim Ridge Knife

Medium Sized Belt Knife, 4 3/4" Handle with Folky Face Carved in Crown of Antler, Half Tang with 1 Brass Pin, Pewter Bolster, 5 3/4" Blade is 7/8" at Widest, Simple Sheath with Tie

Photos supplied by Tim Ridge,

Frank Barker Bag for Mark Sperry

This early Virginia style rifle pouch was made for Mark Sperry, the Williamsburg Blacksmith. It is made of 4-5 oz vegetable tanned leather and hand stitched with waxed linen thread. The seams are all welted for strength. The shoulder strap is 1 1/2" wide and is fully adjustable with a forged iron buckle to about 61" in length. It is tooled in a diamond pattern and the flap, pouch opening and the inside pocket is bound with black deer skin that shows a pinked edge. The color is a very deep brown and has been shadowed dyed to give it that rich antiqued look.

Photos supplied by Frank Barker.

Antique Horn

Photos supplied by Bruce Horn.

Berks County Longrifles and Gunmakers 1750-1900 by Patrick Hornberger

Over 175 full-color photographs document this exhibit of longrifles, gun making tools and accoutrements in the Historical Society of Berks County. This important exhibit includes many rifles and artifacts that have never been publicly displayed before. The full range of gun making styles is covered, from the earliest Germanic style Reading rifles to heavily carved Womelsdorf rifles and the folk art rifles of Kurtztown. The complete collection on display and included in this publication includes 52 rifles and two pistols, as well as accoutrements and gun making tools.

Some of the items in the exhibit: the first signed and dated rifle made in Reading, PA-1761, examples of rifles made by each member of the Angstadt gunmaking family, 1700-1850, William Shener rife and pistol, c. 1790, 14 rifles from the Joe Kindig, Jr. collection, 1750-1830, and the only known child's rifle and fowler, c. 1790 by Wolfgang Haga.

The exhibit has been extended to February 27, 2010.

This book can be purchased from Scurlock Publishing Co.

Artist and Displays at the CLA Show 2009

Jud Brennan

Radically different, these pistols were built 10 years apart, both commissioned by Robert Weil, author of Contemporary Makers of Muzzle Loading Firearms.

Photographs of Mel Hankla's Display taken by Jan Riser at the 2009 CLA Show.

Jeff Bibb Bag

This pouch is a copy of the original pouch discussed in the December issue of Muzzle Blasts Magazine by Wallace Gusler. He notes that this pouch is extremely similar to the mid. 1700's pouch that was previously shown in the Clash of Empires exhibit. It is fairly small at 7, 1/4" square with a flap that extends a little over half way down the front. Made from 4 - 5oz., veg. tan cowhide and dyed a dark black/brown color. Unique features of the pouch include the "welted" trim on the flap edge, two interior compartments, and a covered inside "backing" button to keep the wearer from snagging their hand on the button. The dual button strap adjustment on the back allows the wearer to adjust for thicker layers of clothing. The original pouch in the article has lost its strap, but it is speculated that the original was probably 3/4" to 1" wide. It is unknown if a horn was attached to the original strap as well.

Copy and photos by Jeff Bibb.

Tom Conde Sashes

Photo supplied by Tom Conde.

Ron Scott Bag

This bag has a pigskin body, with forrest green Calfskin edging. The flap is carved and tooled using a late eighteenth century version of a Hapsburg Crest. It is also lined with Lampskin. This bag has an interior pocket.

Photos supplied by Ron Scott.

Joe Kindig Rifles Web Site

There is now a web site for Joe Kindig Rifles. There are interesting articles on how the collection was started. There are beautiful photographs of several rifles that are available. These guns include Samuel Gobrecht, Nicholas Beyer, and Frederick Sell.

"Turkeys" by Ken Scott